The fit of shoes varies from model to model – but why doesn’t the same size shoe always fit? We explain why you sometimes need a significantly different shoe size and how you can use the uvex size advisor app to find the right size safety shoe.
Why does my shoe size vary from brand to brand?
You need a safety shoe and you are uncertain what size to choose? Shall you order the safety shoe in the same size as your favourite sneaker or is it better to order it one size bigger to ensure that you won’t touch the toe cap? The latter is not recommendable, as you are running the risk that the toe cap won’t cover and protect your toe. But why do shoes vary so much in size?
Over the years, various sizing systems have been developed worldwide that are sometimes so different that it makes accurately calculating shoe sizes impossible and results in rounding differences. It therefore depends on which sizing system the manufacturer of you selected safety shoes uses in production.
The following sizing systems are used:
| Name | Length difference between two sizes | Examples |
| Paris point (continental sizing) | 2/3 cm = 6.66 mm | 42, 43, 44, 45, etc. |
| British unit of measurement – barleycorn | 1/3 inch = 8.46 mm | 8, 8½, 9, 9½, etc. |
| Mondopoint R1 | 5 mm | 270, 275, 280, 285, etc. |
| Mondopoint R2 | 7.5 mm | 270, 277, 285, 292, etc. |
The Paris point and the British unit are based on the length of the shoemaker’s last, while Mondopoint R1 and R2 are based on the length of the foot. This difference results in discrepancies between shoe sizes.
The sizes of uvex safety shoes have been determined using the following conversion principle:
| uvex shoe size | Foot length in mm (Mondopoint) |
English size | Japanese size |
| 35 | 217 | 3 | 21.5 |
| 36 | 225 | 3.5 | 22.5 |
| 37 | 232 | 4 | 23.0 |
| 38 | 240 | 5 | 24.0 |
| 39 | 247 | 6 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 255 | 6.5 | 25.5 |
| 41 | 262 | 7 | 26.0 |
| 42 | 270 | 8 | 27.0 |
| 43 | 277 | 9 | 27.5 |
| 44 | 285 | 10 | 28.5 |
| 45 | 292 | 10.5 | 29.0 |
| 46 | 300 | 11 | 30.0 |
| 47 | 307 | 12 | 30.5 |
| 48 | 315 | 13 | 31.5 |
| 49 | 322 | 14 | 32.0 |
| 50 | 330 | 14.5 | 33.0 |
| 51 | 337 | 15 | 33.5 |
| 52 | 345 | 16 | 34.5 |
For a shoe to fit perfectly, both the foot width and length play an essential role. The width of the foot corresponds to the circumference at the widest part of the foot – between the ball of the foot and the base joint of the little toe. In the next paragraph, we’ll explain how to find the correct size for your safety shoes by determining the width and length of your foot.
This is how you measure the length and width of your foot correctly
Follow the next three steps to find the right size for your safety shoes or use our practical uvex size advisor app to help you measure your foot.
1. Measure the length of the foot
- Wearing socks, stand on a piece of paper and use a pencil to draw an outline of each of your feet in turn.
Important: The tip of the pencil must be placed vertically on the paper! - Compare both feet and determine which one is longer.
- Use the longer foot to measure the exact distance from the heel to the longest toe in millimetres.
You should measure your feet towards the end of the working day, as your feet may change during the day.
2. Determine the width of the foot (ball circumference)
Use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of your foot between the ball and base joint of the little toe including socks in millimetres – this should be the widest part of your foot.
3. Find the right shoe size for your safety shoes
Compare the results of your foot length and width measurements with the figures in the following table and find the right uvex shoe size for you.
| uvex shoe size | Foot length in mm | Width 10 | Width 11 (standard) | Width 12 | Width 14 |
| Circumference | Circumference | Circumference | Circumference | ||
| 35 | 211 – 217 | 216.5 | 222.5 | 228.5 | 240.5 |
| 36 | 218 – 225 | 221 | 227 | 233 | 245 |
| 37 | 226 – 232 | 225.5 | 231.5 | 237.5 | 249.5 |
| 38 | 233 – 240 | 230 | 236 | 242 | 254 |
| 39 | 241 – 247 | 234.5 | 240.5 | 246.5 | 258.5 |
| 40 | 248 – 255 | 239 | 245 | 251 | 263 |
| 41 | 256 – 262 | 243.5 | 249.5 | 255.5 | 267.5 |
| 42 | 263 – 270 | 248 | 254 | 260 | 272 |
| 43 | 271 – 277 | 252.5 | 258.5 | 264.5 | 276.5 |
| 44 | 278 – 285 | 257 | 263 | 269 | 281 |
| 45 | 286 – 292 | 261.5 | 267.5 | 273.5 | 285.5 |
| 46 | 293 – 300 | 266 | 272 | 278 | 290 |
| 47 | 301 – 307 | 270.5 | 276.5 | 282.5 | 294.5 |
| 48 | 308 – 315 | 275 | 281 | 287 | 299 |
| 49 | 316 – 322 | 279.5 | 285.5 | 291.5 | 303.5 |
| 50 | 323 – 330 | 284 | 290 | 296 | 308 |
| 51 | 331 – 337 | 288.5 | 294.5 | 300.5 | 312.5 |
| 52 | 345 | 293 | 299 | 305 | 317 |
For an even more accurate measurement, use our uvex size advisor app. See the next paragraph for more details.
Find your shoe size using the uvex app
The uvex shoe size finder app makes it easy to measure your feet and to find the shoe size and width you need. Let us show you how it works:
- Install and launch the app on your Apple iOS device
- Select language
- Select desired measurement
- Take a piece of white DIN A4 (up to size 47) or DIN A3 (from size 48) paper
- Start measuring – the app switches to photo mode:
- Position the piece of paper and your foot as shown in the instructions. The instructions can be accessed from the start screen or at any time by clicking the “?” button on the top right.
- Position the measuring template in the measuring frame in such a way that all four corners of the paper can be seen in the frame. When positioned correctly, an orange frame will be displayed.
- Take a photo
Several points regarding the paper selection and the position of your feet should be observed to ensure that your foot measurements can be taken correctly:
- Only use unused paper.
- Take the measurement on a sufficiently hard floor (soft carpeted floors are unsuitable).
- Wear dark-coloured socks to ensure sufficient contrast between your feet and the white paper.
- Ensure that the whole measuring template is visible and roll up your trousers if it is not.
- Make sure there is enough light but also avoid excessive shadows on the paper.
- For a correct measurement, the heel and the piece of paper must be flush. You can use a skirting board with a 90° angle to find the correct foot position.
- Place your foot straight on the measuring template.
The uvex app automatically generates your measurement results, which you can use to select your safety shoe within the app. Once you have successfully taken the measurements, select the safety class you need to see a list of all available uvex models in your size and width.
Measure your foot now and find a safety shoe that fits perfectly! We are happy to provide detailed advice about our uvex shoe sizes.
Maren Manjura shows in the video how the uvex size advisor app exactly works and how quickly the correct shoe size and width can be determined: